Do you have a parent, grandparent, or sibling in your home who has Alzheimer's disease? When you're caring for someone like that, you may sometimes wonder, "Why is he acting a little different today?" Maybe he's more sleepy than usual, or a little grumpy. This kind of behavior change could be the first sign that he has a fever. So let's talk about this in more depth.
What is a fever? How do you know exactly?
Simply put, a fever is a condition in which our body temperature rises above normal. Usually, when we look at a thermometer, we consider it a fever if the temperature is 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit (100.4°F) or higher. Most often, a fever occurs when our body is fighting an infection.
A person with Alzheimer's disease may not be able to tell you for sure if they are feeling unwell or have a fever. So we need to be very attentive to changes in their behavior. The best way to know for sure if they have a fever is to take their temperature using a thermometer, either orally, in the ear, under the armpit, or rectally.
The average body temperature of older people, in particular, can be slightly lower than that of a younger person. So take your loved one's normal temperature when they are healthy and write it down somewhere. That way, even if it is only 2 degrees higher than normal, you can quickly recognize that it is a fever.
Emergency situations and situations that require immediate medical attention
While we can treat some fevers at home, there are times when we should see a doctor without delay . The table below clearly shows what those situations are.
| Symptoms to watch out for | Description and what to do |
|---|---|
| See a doctor immediately: | |
| High Fever | If the temperature is higher than 101°F (Fahrenheit) at least once. |
| Breathing difficulties | If you have difficulty breathing or a severe cough. |
| Being different from usual | If you feel unusually lethargic, drowsy, or confused. |
| Digestive system problems | If you have nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. |
| Skin infections | If a spot on the skin becomes red, swollen, painful to the touch, and the spot gets bigger. |
| Symptoms of urinary tract infection | If you have pain or burning when urinating. |
| Joint swelling | If one or more joints, such as knees or elbows, are red, swollen, and painful. |
| People with low immunity | If you have a weakened immune system due to long-term illnesses such as cancer medications (chemotherapy), steroids (such as Prednisone), HIV infection, or lung disease. If you have a urinary catheter. |
| Take to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) or call 1990: | |
| Severe respiratory distress | If it is very difficult to breathe, if you feel like you are suffocating. |
| Severe dementia or weakness | If you feel like you're not understanding what's being said, you're losing consciousness, or you feel like you're dragging yourself down without any life left in you. |
What are the main causes of fever?
As we mentioned earlier, the main cause of fever is infection. Especially in older people, these infections can come in three main types.
1. Respiratory Infections
This can be anything from a common cold to a more serious virus like COVID-19, influenza (flu), or pneumonia. Symptoms include coughing, difficulty breathing, wheezing , frequent clearing of the throat, hoarseness, sore throat when swallowing, or earache.
2. Urinary Tract Infections (UTI)
This is also a very common condition among adults. You may notice that he or she is urinating more frequently than usual. The urine may also have a bad odor. You may also report pain or burning when urinating.
3. Skin Infections
Sometimes, an infection can develop due to a cut or scratch on the body. Then, the area becomes red and swollen. If you touch it with your hand, it will feel warmer than other places. If you touch the area and he pulls away in pain, it could be a sign of an infection.
How do you care for someone with a fever at home?
If the fever is not severe, there are several things we can do at home after seeing a doctor and getting advice.
- Rest and fluids: The first thing to do is to get plenty of rest . Also, drink fluids (water, porridge, soup, fruit juice, etc.) frequently to prevent dehydration.
- Giving medication: Doctors recommend medications like `Acetaminophen` (e.g. Panadol) or `Ibuprofen` (e.g. Brufen) to reduce fever. But remember, never give these medications on your own without asking your doctor. Especially if you are taking medication for other illnesses, only your doctor knows if these medications are compatible with those medications.
- Cooling the body: If he says he's cold or shivering, wrap him in a thin cloth or sheet instead of a thick blanket. Often, wrapping him in thick things can make his fever worse. If he says he's hot, reduce the layers of clothing he's wearing, turn on a fan, and wet areas like his forehead and armpits with a cloth soaked in lukewarm water. It's also a good idea to wash your body with lukewarm water.
The most important thing is to take good care of him from afar.Because the condition of the elderly, especially those with Alzheimer's disease, can suddenly worsen.
How to stay healthy and protect yourself from diseases?
The best thing to do is to prevent illness rather than suffer from it. These simple things can help.
1. Get your vaccinations on time: Make sure you and your loved one get all of their vaccinations on time, especially the annual flu vaccine. Talk to your family doctor about this.
2. Hand washing: Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water as often as possible. Help your loved one do the same.
3. Healthy lifestyle: Stay away from people who are sick. Eat a nutritious diet, get enough sleep, and get some exercise as much as possible.
These things are very important for your loved one, as well as for you . Because only if you are healthy can you give them the proper care they need.
Take-Home Message
- A sudden change in behavior in an Alzheimer's patient can be the first sign of a fever, so be on the lookout for it.
- If the fever is over 101°F or there are severe symptoms such as difficulty breathing, severe confusion, see a doctor immediately or take the person to the ETU.
- Let the person with the fever rest well and drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration.
- Do not give fever-reducing medicine or other medications on your own for any reason without medical advice .
- You and the person you care for should wash your hands regularly, get vaccinated, and protect yourself from illness. Your health is just as important.
👩🏽⚕️ Additional questions (FAQs)
💬 🤒 What is typhoid fever? How does it affect someone with Alzheimer's?
Typhoid is a fever caused by a bacteria (Salmonella Typhi) that enters the body through contaminated food and drink. If a person with Alzheimer's develops this type of fever, they may become more confused than usual. Therefore, if a patient with memory loss develops a fever, it should be checked immediately to see if it is typhoid.
💬 🧠 How do we recognize if an Alzheimer's patient has typhoid?
Typhoid fever is usually accompanied by high fever, abdominal pain, and body aches. However, since a person with Alzheimer's cannot verbalize their symptoms, if they suddenly become drowsy or very agitated (delirium), it could be a sign of a fever. Therefore, it is important to take their temperature.
💬 🛡️ What should I do to protect my beloved patient from fevers like Typhoid?
The most important thing is cleanliness. Only boiled water should be given to the patient to drink. Also, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water when preparing and feeding food. Since Alzheimer's patients have low immunity, it is safest to see a doctor as soon as possible, even if you have a slight fever.
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